QB Grier leaving Florida

Suspended Florida quarterback Will Grier is looking for a new place to play. The 19th-ranked Gators announced Saturday that Grier has decided to transfer, saying the redshirt freshman has opted to move on amid a yearlong suspension for violating the NCAA’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Grier was suspended in October for a one year by the NCAA for testing positive for PEDs. He appealed, but the NCAA upheld the suspension. Grier played in six games this season, starting five of them, and completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,204 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The Gators haven’t been nearly as effective on offense since sophomore Treon Harris took over. Florida (10-3) still managed to win the SEC’s Eastern Division, but lost to Alabama in the title game. The Gators next play No. 17 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1 in Orlando. Grier had been expected to rejoin the team Jan. 5. He was on campus earlier this week, taking exams. He also spoke to Coach Jim McElwain about his future. Grier is the sixth quarterback to transfer from Florida in the last three years, following Jacoby Brissett, Tyler Murphy, Max Staver, Jeff Driskel and Skyler Mornhinweg out the door.

Brigham Young has hired former Cougars running back Kalani Sitake as its football coach. BYU announced the move Saturday after its 35-28 loss to No. 20 Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Sitake replaced Bronco Mendenhall, who returned to coach the bowl game after taking the Virginia job. Sitake was Oregon State’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Mendenhall coached 11 years at BYU, finishing with a record of 99-43. A former Cougar running back (1994, 19972000), Sitake returns to his alma mater with 15 years of coaching experience, including seven years a defensive coordinator and four seasons as an assistant head coach.

All-America receiver Corey Coleman has apparently played his last game for No. 18 Baylor, which will also be without top running back Shock Linwood in the Russell Athletic Bowl. Coach Art

Briles said after practice Saturday that Coleman and Linwood will miss the Dec. 29 game against No. 15 Oregon. Coleman, a junior who has already said he will bypass his senior year for early entry in the NFL draft, will have hernia surgery Monday. Linwood has already had surgery on a broken bone in his foot. Coleman had 76 catches for a Big 12-leading 1,363 yards and an FBSbest 20 touchdowns this season. Linwood had 1,329 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns this season.